Monfragüe, one of Spain’s 15 national parks, is the world’s largest and best-preserved area of Mediterranean forest. At the confluence of the Tagus and Tietar rivers, the park is home to 280 species of vertebrates. More than 200 of them are birds, with the Iberian Imperial Eagle the star of Monfragüe.
Bring binoculars and spend the afternoon birdwatching — one of the park’s most unique activities and a perfectly zen way to start your road trip from Madrid.
Besides spotting the diverse wildlife, other activities worth enjoying at Monfragüe are hiking, cycling and horse riding. There are several well-marked paths to explore, although you’ll need to request a permit to access some.
Watersports are prohibited within the park, but there are several kayaking options on the outskirts of Monfragüe, both on the Tagus and on the Tietar rivers.
Extremadura’s two most important contributions to Spain have been conquistadores and jamón ibérico. Some of the leading conquerors of the Americas came from this land: Hernán Cortés, Pizarro, Núñez de Balboa and Orellana, to name but a few.
Your second stop on this Madrid road trip takes you to Trujillo, a stunningly well-preserved medieval town. Francisco Pizarro, conqueror of Peru, and Francisco de Orellana, the first person to navigate the Amazon River in full (originally named the Orellana River), were both born here.
Spend half a day admiring the main square, the old palaces and churches, and the castle. Sample some jamón ibérico at one of the bars on Plaza Mayor, the town’s main square with the imposing Pizarro statue.
Continue your road trip and head to the provincial capital, Cáceres, whose old quarter is one of the best-preserved in the continent.
As soon as you walk through Cáceres' narrow old streets, you feel as if you’ve travelled back to medieval times. Palaces, churches and convents built from beautiful golden stone will transport you to its glorious past.
From the Middle Ages to the Roman Empire! Your next stop on this wonderful Madrid road trip is Mérida, a town founded in 25 BC under the name Emerita Augusta by order of Emperor Augustus.
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, Mérida’s archaeological complex is one of the most impressive in the country. The Roman theatre and the amphitheatre, the Roman circus, the bridge over the Guadiana, the aqueduct and many other buildings and remains are breathtaking thanks to their state of preservation and beauty.
Leave the ancient architecture behind and take a break in nature. Drive your campervan east towards Puerto Peña Reservoir, a hidden spot known mainly to locals and ideal for watersports. Swimming, canoeing and motorboating are all great activities to enjoy at the reservoir.
Close to Puerto Peña, visit the old town of Puebla de Alcocer, whose castle offers spectacular views over the reservoir and the whole region.
We leave Extremadura to enter La Mancha, Don Quixote’s land. Your next stop on this Madrid road trip is one of La Mancha’s main cities, Ciudad Real, often called the capital of La Mancha.
Ciudad Real is a small city, perfect to explore on foot. The Romanesque cathedral and Santiago’s church are both impressive buildings worth visiting. Toledo Gate, at the north end of the old town, is a magnificent Gothic gate of military origins.
The city also boasts Don Quixote’s Museum, a small free museum that combines an art exhibition related to the novel with multimedia presentations about the Cervantine period.
A traditional dish worth trying is migas, which literally means breadcrumbs. Shepherd-style migas are small pieces of stale white bread mixed with garlic and bacon that has been sautéed in lard or olive oil.
Don’t forget that Manchego cheese is one of the most famous Spanish cheeses and that La Mancha also produces plenty of good quality red wines. There you have your lunch for the day! After, head to Toledo instead of spending the night in Ciudad Real.
Toledo is known as the City of the Three Cultures because for many years Christians, Jews and Muslims lived peacefully together in its narrow, hilly streets.
The old city sits on a mountaintop surrounded by the River Tagus on three sides. As you reach the city by campervan, the view of Toledo in the distance is unforgettable.
Around an hour’s drive from Madrid, Toledo is the last stop on your Madrid road trip. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, it’s packed with medieval churches, synagogues and mosques. The old city walls and gates still stand, as do the iconic Roman Alcántara and San Martín bridges.
